1.04.2015

18th Rainbow/PUSH WALL STREET PROJECT in NYC January 13-15th

By Gloria Dulan-WilsonHello All:Well, we're now officially in 2015, and January has started off on rollerblades!! This month is going to be non-stop! Especially since the Rev. Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coaliton's Wall Street Project is Tuesday, January 13th through January 15th this year! So get ready to be engaged, informed, involved and empowered from the beginning to the end of this year.

REV. JESSE L. JACKSON FOUNDER OF RAINBOW/PUSH COALITION

In light of the most recent events that have transpired on a national and local basis, this will be a pivotal event in helping Black people develop an even more impactful agenda for economic parity and control of the considerable assets that flow through our communities into the hands of others. Rev. Jackson works tirelessly in coordinating this conference, and his staff of researchers bring experts from every quarter of the world to provide cutting edge information in advance of the media to African Americans. His contention that while the Civil Rights issues are of major importance, African Americans have been egregiously discriminated against when it comes to money, finance and economics, has been the hallmark of his focus, and is as true today, as it was when he first announced the establishment of the Wall Street Project nearly 20 years ago. In a recent interview, I asked Rev. Jackson about the viability of HBCUs in the future of education and career development for African Americans. He responded that HBCUs have an even greater role to play as incubators for Black entrepreneurs, business leaders and should be provided the financial wherewithal to expand as much as Ivy League institutions have done. He also commented that African American families, now, more than ever should look to these institutions to provide key mentoring roles, as well as academic programs. Rev. Jackson, who graduated from North Carolina A & T University in Greensboro, NC, speaks from experience about the intrinsic value of having attended an HBCU in his formative years. He additionally commented that Black Greek Letter Fraternities and Sororities are viable avenues for investment and financial equity development. Rev. Jackson, who was to leave shortly on a fact-finding tour of Africa, starting in Nigeria, also spoke of the need for more cooperative coordination between Africans and African Americans in the future economic development of Africa, and the building of business relations between the diaspora and the homeland. He also expressed concern that the "ebola scare" was a tactic to drive development and relationships away from Africa.

URGENT: NEW CALL IN NUMBER 605-475-3220Journalist Teleconference with Rev. Jesse Jackson | Tuesday, December 16th 12noon

The Wall Street Project’s Asset Management Study will be released at the summit during the “Money Where It Matters: Managing Corporate, Endowment and Foundation Funds” session which features data on the utilization of MWBE asset management firms by corporations and foundations.

NY TECH MEETUP (NYTM) Silicon Harlem and NY Tech Meetup will co-host this
special session of the NY Tech Meetup where attendees can view and
participate in live demos from companies developing great technology in New York City.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14:

MONEY WHERE IT MATTERS: MANAGING CORPORATE, ENDOWMENT & FOUNDATION FUNDS Introduction of Wall Street Project Asset Management
study. In addition to the release of this information, the session
will feature a conversation about ways to improve the utilization of
MWBE minority asset management firms.

AFTER THE CHEERING STOPS: THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETE DEALMAKERS
Many professional athletes experience economic challenges
after their days of competition on the field have ended. These
individualsare often unprepared for their
financial futures and are not always provided with appropriate guidance
regarding investments, planning and financial security. Yet
there are various ways for these high profile individuals to maximize
their brand, exposure and platform, and turn them into significant and
meaningful ventures that can serve them well in the post-career
pursuits. This forum will engage athletes, agents and
executives in a conversation on economic opportunities both within the
multi-billion dollar sports industry as well as within the business
world around the country and abroad. We will discuss the paths
of sports figures as businessmen, executives, philanthropists, community
leaders and entrepreneurs, and have meaningful dialogue on how critical
it is for athletes to develop a game plan for success After the
Cheering Stops. Speakers include
Chris Bryant, Matt Gutierrez,Dr. David E. Martin, Tracy McGrady, Deon Strother, among others. BUSINESS OF HIP HOP - EXAMINING NEXT STEPS: As the Hip Hop Union celebrates its 5th
Anniversary, this session will focus on solution driven action that
reviews the conversations of the past five years, analyzes present
opportunities and identifies future initiatives that will strengthen the
Entrepreneurs and Citizens of the Hip Hop Community in the areas of
politics, economics and entertainment. Moderator:
Shawn Granberry, Chief Executive Officer, Watch Now Networks, Inc. Panelists:Rakim Allah, Hip Hop Artist; Rah Digga Hip Hop Artist; Ed Lover, Vice President, Hip Hop TV, LLC; Freeway Rick Ross; Erick Sermon, President, Def Squad Enterprises; Tony Neal, The Core DJs; P. Frank Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Phophet From It EntertainmentTHURSDAY, JANUARY 15:FAITH & COMMUNITY LEADERS’ SESSION With a focus on access to capital for churches and
community development corporations and initiatives, this session will
examine what faith-based communities can do to promote financial
literacy as a means to achieve economic justice and how they can
effectively work with banking institutions on partnerships that
stabilize and invest in their communities and create housing,
businesses, and jobs. This session will cover topics such as the ABC’s
of how churches can secure funding, mortgage loans and loan
modifications, to opportunities for churches to become the recipients of
gifted properties (REO) within their communities for essential mission
projects.FOCUS ON AFRICA: AFRICA ECONOMIC EXPANSION FORUMThis session is a follow up of last year’s
“Africa Investment Opportunities Forum” and the recent Inaugural
“African Economic Expansion Summit” held in Durban South Africa.
Panelists will discuss Africa’s continuing tremendous business
opportunities not only in oil, gas and natural resources, but also in
areas such as energy, telecommunications, technology, entertainment,
construction, financial services, and tourism in their respective
countries/sectors. This forum will also provide an opportunity to
outline US trade policy towards Africa. Make it your business to be present and involved in this pivotal conference that has been on the cutting edge of information for Black businesses and entrepreneurs for nearly 20 years. 2015 must be the year we begin consolidating the trillions of dollars that flow through the Black community and into other hands, to do otherwise shows that we've learned nothing.